Underground Alliance Records was formed in the late 2011 to promote and connect producers of alternative electronic music from countries of former Yugoslavia. Underground stands for the ever growing affinity of its released artists and followers to something different, something better. Alliance stands for the fact that it is not a dick measuring contest but a tribute, a tribute to choice, our choice to stand out, to be different and to oppose. This compilation is one such tribute, a brand new antique in the history of music that no one outside this group of misfits will probably ever hear about and that is exactly the point. The most intriguing sections of history are the ones you have to find for yourself. The first UA compilation came out last year (2012) and was very well received by those few who knew about it. To our great regret the compilation was not able to reach a wider audience. Bearing in mind that this effort was made by a small group of anonymous individuals in the land of music and was given for FREE download, I have to say they did a damn fine job assembling some of the most talented producers on the former Yugoslavia territory. Is the compilation any good? You’re damn right it is. First up is “Wasteland Port Caledon – Stone Tale”, a retro experiment that serves as an intro and slowly starts the descent into hell. Following the cathedral bells is “Broken Bird – Falls Into Industrial Fields”, a droning ambient track. “Sectroom – Zloćud (Malignancy)” is pretty well described by its own title and requires no further explanation, you have to hear it for yourself to get the full picture. The deeper I go into the compilation, the darker the tracks get and, as if to prove my point, “D.sub0 – To The Center” comes grinding in a very Merzbow style. After the noise came a more conventional and surprisingly militant industrial sounding “Kriegshund – Machina”. As I was appreciating the change of pace steeling myself for more violent tracks, “Youth A.D. – Kult Vuka (Cult Of The Wolf)” cranked the dark & weird up to eleven. Truly sounding like a cult gathering, it deserves its rightful place among the others on this compilation. Then came “Masturbeator – Disorder”, a track misplaced on purpose for which I am grateful. The slow build of the beat and a solid groove won me over immediately. To continue the beat driven section of the compilation are “Optimus Prime & Half Dead – Seizure” with their drop dead dark drum’n’bass collaboration.
UNDERGROUND ALLIANCE Trilogy – part III – HELL 2013
Simple beat constructs with mesmerizing melodies and synth stabs work miracles if done right and this one was done outstanding. The “B’anz – Ek” was a nice surprise. The slightly glitched techno with some dark brooding female voices lurking in the background sent chills down my spine. Then all went right where we were headed, to hell. “Mental Cage – Hvala Ti (Thank You)” absolutely destroyed all the expectations and went ape shit on the subject. The compilation is entitled “Hell” but I didn’t know there will be any actual demonic presence involved. The track is heavily distorted and leans strongly on metal which makes it the oddball of the bunch but still a fitting entry. I have no idea what is the vocalist saying but I have a feeling that the tracks name is very ironical. To end it all is “Dangerous Beat – Satanized Elephant” with his nihilistic noise extravaganza and yes you read the title of the song correctly. A fitting name perhaps but I can’t help the smile it draws on my face. At the end I only wished there were a few more tracks but the ones I got portrayed hell admirably and I was satisfied. With each track it gradually lowers you to the depths of madness and as the sounds get darker and more violent, so does the curiosity. Just slightly over forty five minutes, this trip was short but pleasant. Definitely worth another spin. Underground Alliance proved to know and understand all of those on the margins of creative space, and there is a vast galaxy out there full of individuals yet to be discovered. All of you who did not send in any work for this year’s compilation be sure to make an effort for the next. Until then…hell.
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